He rolled another cigarette and, inhaling and expelling a whiff of smoke, continued reflectively: "This is a good outfit--this Force--no doubt about it. I guess as regards its system, discipline, and results, it's out and away the best Military Police Force in the world--with the exception, p'r'aps, of the Royal Irish Constabulary. Good men take on and serve their time. Some reengage, and some quit. But just as good men take their place and the work goes on. But, as I said before, there's no rest, or future in it for the average non-com, or buck. You never know when your day's work's done.
"No, it's just one continual round of listening to, and settling other people's troubles. Seems nonsense, I know, to get talking like this for, after all, it's only what we're paid for. Somebody's got to do it. But there it is--trouble, trouble, trouble, the whole time. All my life, with the exception of the time I deliberately struck into the fighting game, I've wanted to live peaceably; but it seems to have been my luck, somehow, to always get the reverse. Especially on this job. No matter how quiet and easy-going you try to rub along there are always some nasty, bullying, ignorant, cunning beggars who, just because you're a bit decent to them, take it for granted you're easy and try to impose on you. Anyway, that was _my_ experience on the first two or three detachments I struck. Not on _this_ one, though! Didn't give 'em a chance. Fellow that was before me, corporal named Williamson--decent head, all right--but he tried that 'live, and let live' stunt and it didn't work a bit. No, _sir_! They just took advantage of him every turn and corner. Oh, I tell you, Miss O'Malley, it sure was some tough district--this--when I took it over."
His brows contracted loweringly, and a menacing light gleamed in his deep-set eyes.
"I soaked it to 'em, though, the dirty dogs!" he muttered, with a savage snap of his strong white teeth. "They wanted to be _shown_.... I've sure _shown_ some of 'em, all right. The inside of a 'Pen',' at that. Kept 'em on the high jump ever since. It's the only way _to_ deal with that class. Treat 'em like the scum they are, and they'll be good then and eat out of your hand. They're too ignorant and cunning to appreciate any civility or kindness."
